UTA accidents dip, crime rates level amid growth

Friday , March 28, 2014 - 7:07 AM

The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — New figures from the Utah Transit Authority show the state’s light rail and bus system logged fewer accidents in 2013 than the year before, despite expanding service with four new rail lines.

The annual report released this week also shows that fewer riders last year tried to skirt fares.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1dz3gg6) about one in every 50 passengers tried to board without paying.

But rates of crime stayed constant.

The Wednesday report comes on the heels of a Salt Lake Tribune analysis finding that major incidents related to UTA transit dipped last year.

The rate fell from about 2 accidents per million miles in 2012 to about 1.7 in 2013.

UTA had five deaths and 44 serious injuries in a total 45 reported accidents last year.